Governor Bob Riley announced today that a state-of-the-art robotics training and education center will be housed at Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama. In making the announcement, Governor Riley noted that “Because the Huntsville area is considered to be among the leaders in robotics, North Alabama is the logical place for a robotics center. Construction of the center at Calhoun Community College will take Alabama to a new level while making a fundamental difference in the state’s workforce development.”
The Center will be a collaboration between the state of Alabama, the two-year college system, AIDT, and robotics industry leaders. Initial plans call for three buildings to be built on a 53 acre site directly across Hwy 31 from Calhoun’s Decatur campus. Phase 1: The Robotic Maintenance Training Center will house an industry training program. Phase 2: The Advanced Technology Research and Development Center will feature a test facility for companies currently in the robotics manufacturing industry. Phase 3: The Integration and Entrepreneurial Center is expected to be a collaborative consolidation of technology involving higher education and industry.
Groundbreaking for the $14-15 M Robotic Maintenance Training Center is scheduled to take place within six to eight months with completion expected within 18 months. Dr. Marilyn C. Beck, Calhoun’s president pledged to utilize Calhoun’s resources to make the governor’s vision a reality. Preliminary working plans for the center have already been developed by the Governor’s Office and AIDT, and the state has pledged $8M in interest bearing bond proceeds for the project. The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Morgan, and Limestone counties are expected to contribute the remaining $7-8M for the construction of Phase 1. In addition, robotic industry leaders such as Omoron, Mitsubishi, ABB Robotics, Rockwell, and Fanuc, have already agreed to contribute $40M in equipment for the training center.
While no specific timeline was announced, the Phase 2 and 3 portions of the project are scheduled to begin within a “reasonable time period” based on economic climate, and are expected to cost $7–8M each, according to Ed Castille of AIDT.
During today’s presentation, Governor Riley noted that Mr. Bradley Byrne, chancellor of the state’s two-year college system, “played a critical part in the choice because he understands workforce development.” He also commended local, regional, and state leaders for their support in the project.
For more information, contact Calhoun Community College Public Relations department at 256-306-2561.
Coverage of this release:
- Educators sought for robotics center's advisory committee, The Decatur Daily, Thursday, September 18, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Calhoun may break ground in November on robotics, The Decatur Daily, Wednesday, September 17, 2008 issue, p.A1
- New Robotics Center will Strengthen High Tech Workforce, WHNT-TV Channel 19, Huntsville, AL, Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 6:00 p.m. newscast and website.
- VW decision should not affect robotics center plan, The Decatur Daily, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 issue, p.B3
- VW arrival could boost robotics (Calhoun Robotics Center discussed), The Decatur Daily, Friday, June 27, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Calhoun Hopes to be key in new VW Plant Location, WAAY TV Channel 31, Huntsville, AL, Tuesday, June 24, 2008, website.
- Athens City Council Donates $1 Million to Robotics Project, WHNT-TV Channel 19, Huntsville, AL, Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 6:00 p.m. newscast and website. see video
- Athens City Council approves $250,000 for robotics center, The Decatur Daily, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 issue, p.B1
- Athens funds robotics: Council votes to send 1st payment to Calhoun center, The Huntsville Times, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 issue, p.B1
- $250K okayed for robotics center: World-class robotics campus could help lure auto makers, The Athens News-Courier, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Calhoun Community College Chosen for Robotics Center, ChamberLink Newsletter, an online publication of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 issue
- Robotics center a business magnet, Community College Times, Friday, June 20, 2008 issue, p12
- Regional cooperation among leaders bears fruit for all, by State Senator Arthur Orr, The Decatur Daily, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 issue, Opinion section, p.A7
- Calhoun Chosen for State Robotics Center, Speakin' Out News, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 issue, p. A3
- Plant choice narrows: VW to pick between Limestone and Chattanooga; robotics center may be key to selection, The Decatur Daily, Sunday, June 15, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Local faces gave hint about choice of robotics site, The Decatur Daily, Sunday, June 15, 2008 issue, p.B6
- Regional spirit that brought robotics center here inspires by State Senator Arthur Orr, Guest Columnist, The Athens News-Courier, Sunday, June 15, 2008 issue, p.3B
- Across the state: What other newspapers are saying, The Decatur Daily, Saturday, June 14, 2008 issue, Editorials, p.A7
- Robotics center coming to Calhoun, Madison Record, Friday, June 13, 2008 issue, p.A-3
- Calhoun robotics partner recognized for effectiveness, The Decatur Daily, Thursday, June 12, 2008 issue, p.C4
- Governor Riley Announces Robotics Center Location (Interview with Dr. Mary Yarbrough, Calhoun Vice President), FOX 54 TV Channel, Huntsville, AL, Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 9:00 p.m. newscast
- Decatur to get robotics training center, Birmingham News, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 online issue
- Decatur lands $71M robotics facility, The Montgomery Advertiser, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue
- Calhoun gets robotics center: Lawmakers expet it to be 'big lure' to land VW plant, The Huntsville Times, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Riley: Calhoun will make Alabama robotics leader, The Decatur Daily, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Robotics center could help lure VW, analyst says, The Decatur Daily, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue, p.A3
- New robotics center will be a major asset, The Decatur Daily, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue, editorials, p.A5
- Robotics campus planned: Hi-tech training, research facility at Calhoun will enable Limestone to lure new industry , officials say, The Athens News-Courier, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Riley: Limestone to be home to world-class robotics center, The Athens News-Courier, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue
- Robotics campus to be 'first of its kind in world', The Athens News-Courier, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue
- Governor Riley Announces Robotics Center Location, FOX 6 TV Channel, Birmingham, AL, Tuesday, June 10, 2008
- Calhoun Community College Chosen for Robotics Center, WIAT-TV CBS Channel 42, Birmingham, AL, Monday, June 9, 2008, website and newscasts
- Riley selects Calhoun for Robotics Center, WHNT-TV Channel 19, Huntsville, AL, Monday, June 9, 2008, website and 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 newscasts; Tuesday, June 10, 5:00 newscast.
- Decatur to get robotics research, training center, Birmingham News, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 issue
- Gov. Riley announces site of robotics center at Calhoun, WAFF, Channel 48, Huntsville, AL, Monday, June 9, 2008, website and 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 newscasts.
- Calhoun Community College Chosen for Robotics Center, NBC 13, TV Channel, Montgomery, AL, Monday, June 9, 2008
- New Robotics Center Location Announced, WAAY TV Channel 31, Huntsville, AL, Monday, June 9, 2008, website and 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 newscasts.
- Ala. college to get robotics center, houmatoday.com, Terrebonne Parrish, Louisiana, Monday, June 9, 2008 issue
- Robotics for Calhoun: Riley expected to make announcement today, The Decatur Daily, Monday, June 9, 2008 issue, p.A1
- Governor doesn't pick Wallace State for robotics center, The Cullman Times, Monday, June 9, 2008 issue
- Calhoun Community College chosen for Robotics Training Center, The Huntsville Times, Monday, June 9, 2008 issue
- Robotics Center, The Huntsville Times, Monday, June 9, 2008 issue, p. B1
- Alabama Governor Riley Announces Site of Robotics Research, Development and Training Center, allamericanpatriots.com, Monday, June 9, 2008
- Governor Riley Announces Site of Robotics Research, Development and Training Center, ABC TV Channel 32, Montgomery, AL, Monday, June 9, 2008
- Ala. college to get robotics center, Tuscaloosa News, Monday, June 9, 2008 issue
- Decatur school will house robotics training center, Birmingham News, Monday, June 9, 2008 online issue
- Decatur lands $71M robotics education center, Birmingham Business Journal, Monday, June 9, 2008 online issue
- Robotics plant will be at Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Birmingham News, Monday, June 9, 2008 online issue
- Governor Riley Announces Site of Robotics Research, Development and Training Center
, State of Alabama, Governor's website, Monday, June 9, 2008
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